Siboniso Gaxa, having emerged a winner in the latest transfer scramble, now faces a new challenge in a Bafana shirt.

The rightback, who clinched a move to Belgian club Lierse FC from Sundowns shortly before the transfer window closed on Tuesday, is in competition with Anele Ngcongca for a regular Bafana spot.

Gaxa, who signed a three-year contract with Lierse for a reported R6-million, will find Ngcongca not only a rival for national colours but also an opponent at club level. Ngcongca plays for another Belgian club, Racing Genk.

Under coach Pitso Mosimane at Bafana, Ngcongca has claimed the rightback position in two consecutive matches. He was in the starting line-up in Bafana's last World Cup match against France, but made way for Gaxa later in the second half after suffering an ankle injury. Bafana won the match 2-1, but failed to make it to the second round.

Carlos Alberto Parreira preferred Gaxa for South Africa's first two World Cup matches, opting for Ngcongca in the third. Now Mosimane appears to favour Ngcongca.

In the 1-0 win over Ghana last month - an international friendly at Soccer City - Ngcongca was again in the first XI with Gaxa on the bench. The presence of the two in Mosimane's 25-man squad ahead of the Nations Cup qualifier against Niger on Saturday has created a fierce battle in that role.

Gaxa had seemingly reached a comfort zone as Bafana's right-footed fullback, with Bryce Moon no longer in the picture.

Gaxa, who was man of the match in his debut for Bafana against Cape Verde in a World Cup qualifier five years ago, now has 42 caps, while Ngcongca has made only seven appearances.

Ngcongca's first call-up to the national team was in August last year, but he played in only one match in November, a friendly against Japan in Port Elizabeth.

"I had to wait for my chance and then grab it when it came along," said the versatile 22-year-old, who is able to shift to a defensive midfield role if needed.

When Gaxa's form fell away at club and national levels, Ngcongca stepped up to do the job for Bafana.

"There's always pressure to be at the top of your game. That is what keeps me focused. I need to be under pressure because if I am not, then I will relax and lose my spot," Ngcongca said yesterday.

He is likely to start ahead of Gaxa against Niger in Nelspruit.

Tsepo Masilela, another fullback who is a regular on the left side of defence, also revealed that he was being pushed hard for his place in the team. Mosimane has included young Keegan Ritchie as an understudy to Masilela in future Bafana matches.

"We need this type of competition in the team, but I am prepared to keep working hard and stay in my position," said Masilela.

Ritchie, 20, said he was happy to be Masilela's understudy - for now.